We asked Football Manager to predict the Euros, and this is what happened

Football Manageris the most realistic video game of all-time. Actually, scratch that - Universal Studios Theme Parks Adventure is the most realistic video game of all-time. It had you playing as a cleaner, going around the parks picking up discarded rubbish. It was unforgivably bad.

So, fine. Football Manager is the second most realistic game of all-time. And for that reason, it's a pretty damn good way to predict football matches.

That's why we asked the stat-fondling geniuses who made the game to run Euro 2016 through its algorithm, and forecast the tournament to within an inch of its life.

Here's what you can expect:

The favourites win it

"France are crowned European Champions for the third time with a 2-0 win over Spain in the final at the Stade de France. Olivier Giroud and Antoine Griezmann grab the important goals either side of half-time for Didier Deschamps’ men."

The past repeats itself

"The eventual champions see off Germany 2-1 in their semi-final while Spain comfortably beat Italy 3-0 in their semi-final in a repeat of the 2012 final."

Pelle puts an end to England's hopes

"England’s tournament comes to an end at the quarter-final stage as Italy run out 2-1 winners against Roy Hodgson’s men. Graziano Pelle and Alessandro Florenzi strike either side of a Harry Kane goal to send England on the plane home."

The boys do us proud

"Prior to that defeat, England had been impressive. They won all of their group matches beating Russia 3-1, Wales 1-0 and Slovakia 2-0 before seeing off Ukraine in the second round 2-1 thanks to goals from Alli and Vardy."

Austria are the surprise package

"Austria are the best performers from the outsiders as they reach the quarter-finals after qualifying behind Portugal from Group F and beating Russia in the last 16. Their journey comes to an end against France and goals from Kingsley Coman and Paul Pogba."

Wales can't go the distance.

"Iceland and Wales also make it through to the last 16 but are eliminated by Germany and Spain respectively."

Early exit for Northern Ireland

"Northern Ireland are eliminated at the group stage but do pick up a point against Ukraine."

Ireland crash out, too

"Republic of Ireland are also eliminated at the group stage but play out one of the most entertaining matches of the tournament in a 3-3 draw against Sweden."

Giroud silences his critics

"France’s Olivier Giroud wins the Golden Boot after scoring 5 times, enough to beat Spain’s Alvaro Morata into second place."

Pogba smashes it

"Paul Pogba is named the best player of the tournament."

Kane's bangs in the goals

"England’s top goalscorer during the tournament is Kane with 3 goals."

Alli does the business

"Dele Alli is the England player to feature in the Team of the Tournament; France have three players in there (Pogba, Giroud and Griezmann)."